Assigjsoe op one



(No Model.)

A. NICHLESS. GRAIN ADJUSTER FOR BIN DEBS.

No.31 2,576. Patented Feb. 17. 1885.

UNTTED STATES PATENT ANTHONY NICHLESS, OF V HITEXVATEB, \VISGONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO I. Z. MERRIAM, OF SAME PLACE.

-GRA|N-ADJUSTER FOR BINDERS.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 312,576, dated February 17,1885.

Application filed Dccc mber 28, 1883.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A. NIoHLnss, of Whitewater, in the county of \Valworth and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Grain-Adj usters forBinders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to those endless belts or apronswith upright faces which are commonly used at the side of grain receiving or binding tables in a position oblique to the path of the grain, to act upon the butts of the same and adjust it in an endwise direction, so that whether long or short it shall be pre sented in position to receive the band or binding material midway of its length.

The aim of the invention is to render the action of the aprons more efficient in adjusting the grain, to produce bundles having smooth and regular butts, and to prevent grass, grain, &c., from lodging on the table adjacent to the apron.

To this end it consists, essentially, in combining with the apron means whereby its face is caused to receive, in addition to the usual longitudinal movement, arapid to-and-fro motion in the direction of the length of the grain, or, in other words, caused to strike rapidly succeeding blows against the end of the grain. The effect of this beating action is to cause the straws to move endwise not only in a body but also with respect to each other, so that their butts will stand in one and the same plane.

The most simple means of vibrating the apron is an eccentric roller mounted behind its forward face; but any other device which will act with like effect may be substituted therefor.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of a butt-adjusting apron provided with my improvements, the upper portion being represented in section. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the same on the line at m. Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections on the lines y y, the roller being represented at different points in its course of rotation. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the roll detached. Figs. 6 and 7 are views illustrating modified forms of the roll. My invention is applicable to any and all binding-machines in which the grain is moved (X0 model.)

laterally or in a direction at right angles to its length over a table or other supporting surface.

Inasmuch as the device for moving the grain laterally to the binder and for effecting the application of the band are well understood receiver or deck upon which the grain is delivered and from which it is moved, in the direction of the arrow, to the binding mechanism. I

B represents the adjuster-apron carried at its ends by two upright rolls, 0 and D, the axes of which are usually perpendicular to the surface of the table. The journals of the upper roll form the axes of a horizontal swinging frame, F, the lower end of which carries thejournals of the roll D. By swinging the frame around the axis of the upper'roll the face of the apron may be presented at a greater or less obliquity to the path in which the grain is advanced.

The construction and operation of the abovenamed parts and the mechanism for imparting motion thereto may be identical with those now in common use.

Passing now to my improvement, it will be seen on reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that I- have journaled in the frame E, within the belt or apron, an upright eccentric roller, I, which bears against the rear portion of the belt on the inner side, and which has the effect, when revolved, of causing the active face of the belt to be thrown rapidly outward beyond its normal position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. This roll may be of any suitable form in cross-section which will cause it to move-the face of the apron outward-that is to say, in a direction at right angles to that in which it is carried by its passage around the rolls-01, in other words, in the direction of each end being flattened or made of greater diameter in one direction than in the other, the major diameter at one end being at right angles, or substantially at right angles, to the major diameter at the other end, as plainly represented in Fig. 5. The effect of this construction is to cause the upper and lower edges of the belt to be moved outward alternately. The inclination of the face of the belt first on one side and then on the other of the perpendicular, which results from the above-mentioned construction, is plainly represented in Figs. 3 and 4c.

The roll I may be rotated by frictional contact with the inner surface of the apron, or it may be positively driven by suitable gearing or belting. In Fig. 1 have represented a belt, K, extended around pulleys on the rolls 0 and I, respectively, so that motion is imparted positively from the upper roll to the eccentric roll.

Figs. 6 and 7 represent, respectively, in cross-section. an elliptic and a triangular roll, either of which may be substituted in place of that represented in the preceding figures.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A traveling grain-adjusting apronfor a grain-binder and mechanism whereby the active surface of the apron is also moved rapidly to and fro in the direction of the length of the grain.

2. In a grain-binder, a butt-adj usting apron having an upright surface extended obliquely to the path of the grain to act 011 the butts thereof, combined with means whereby the surface of said apron is caused to move to and fro in the direction of the length of the. grain.

3. An endless butt-adjusting apron combined with means for imparting a rotary motion thereto and means for imparting a vibratory motion to its active surface.

4-. In a grain-binding machine, in combination with the grain-receiving table, the endless traveling apron extending obliquely to the path of the grain, and means, substantially such as shown, for moving the upper and lower edges outward alternately in the direction of the length of the grain.

5. In a grain-binder, in combination with the grain-receiving table, the endless butt-adj usting apron, the sustaining-rolls at its ends, the swinging frame, and the eccentric roll mounted in said frame to act on the apron.

6. In combination with the endless buttadjusting apron and its supporting-rolls, an eccentric roll, I, and means, substantially as described, for imparting a positive rotation thereto.

ANTHONY NICHLESS.

Witnesses:

R. B. HULL, O. E. HULL. 

